AFCW 3 Alvechurch 2 (FA Cup)

AFC Wulfrunians progressed in the FA Cup after a thrilling second half comeback at home to fellow Midland Football League side Alvechurch. Late goals from Jake Sedgemore, Dan Parker and Andy Thompson fired Wulfs through after Jermaine Clarke and Gareth Evans had put the visitors in control.

Wulfs started well and should have gone ahead early on when Craig Gregg’s ball across goal found an unmarked John Hill but he scuffed his shot wide.

After Wulfs had enjoyed most of the possession, it was Alvechurch who opened the scoring on the half hour mark when Clarke received a ball from the right and turned neatly in the area before slotting past the keeper.

Parker went close to equalising just before the break when Scott Stevenson’s deep cross drifted over the keeper but his effort was cleared off the line.

Alvechurch made the job twice as difficult for Wulfs by extending their lead in the 52nd minute. Former Wulfs player Chris Raybone’s right wing cross was headed goalwards by Evans and when the ball struck the far post and rolled across the goal line, Evans was there to tap the loose ball into the empty net.

The comeback started in the 65th minute when Thompson turned neatly in the area and was brought down by Scott Smith. Sedgemore coolly converted the resulting penalty.

Danny Tipton then saved well from Evans with Jordan Perks clearing the loose ball off the line before Wulfs equalised in the 71st minute when Gregg’s cross was headed home by Parker.

Clarke had a great chance to put the visitors back in the lead when he headed wide from close range before Wulfs completed an amazing comeback ten minutes from time. Sedgemore played a sublime ball in behind the ‘Church defence and Thompson curled a first-time shot past the advancing keeper from just outside the area.

Wulfs now host Boldmere St Michaels at the Castlecroft Stadium in the Preliminary Round in a fortnight’s time.